SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

statecraft

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 37.2

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 37.2 criticizes Guan Zhong’s advice for Duke Huan’s lost‑cap disgrace. It argues arbitrary charity and undeserved amnesty reward the meritless and pardon faults, breeding opportunism and political disorder.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 37.1

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 37.1 challenges Yanzi’s famous “expensive artificial feet” remonstrance. It holds punishments should be judged by appropriateness rather than mere quantity; blind leniency benefits wrong‑doers and harms law‑abiding citizens.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.9

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.9 rebuts Jiu Liu’s warning against dual‑minister appointments. It argues risk lies not in the number of ministers, but in whether the ruler wields proper statecraft to keep them under control.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.8

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.8 rejects Xiao Lue’s defense of Guan Zhong. It holds authority stems from the ruler’s lawful edicts rather than personal rank‑honors, deeming Guan Zhong’s pursuit of status either greedy or tactically ignorant.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.6

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.6 re‑examines Duke Huan’s repeated visits to the recluse Xiao Chen Ji. It redefines benevolence‑righteousness politically, arguing honoring such an arrogant hermit undermines ruler‑subject hierarchy.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.5

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.5 critiques the well‑known Shi Kuang anecdote. It argues Duke Ping violated ruler‑principles and Shi Kuang breached ministerial etiquette, as ministers should remonstrate verbally instead of using physical force.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.4

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.4 disputes Confucius’ praise for Zhao Xiangzi’s reward of Gao He. It holds rewards must tie to concrete merit; merely observing basic ruler‑minister etiquette should not win top‑ranked recompense.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.3

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.3 critiques Guan Zhong’s advice to Duke Huan. It argues merely dismissing treacherous favorites is insufficient; sound institutions and reliable reward‑punishment systems are needed to block ministerial usurpation.

  • Han Feizi – Chapter 36.2

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    This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 36.2 advances the famous spear and shield paradox. It critiques Confucian moral example governance via Yao and Shun tales, arguing institutional rewards punishments outperform sages’ personal toil.